Senior Programme Management Assistant

Overview

Provide comprehensive support in programme management activities

You have:

• High school diploma or equivalent is required.
• A diploma in project management or other related fields is desirable.
• Passing the Global General Service Test (GGST) is a prerequisite for recruitment consideration.
• A minimum of ten (10) years of professional work experience in programme or project administration is required.
• Mastery of using Power BI is required.
• Experience in Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) systems is required.
• Fluency in English is required.
• Knowledge of another official United Nations language is desirable.
• Experience in results-based planning and reporting is desirable.
• One (1) year or more of experience in data analytics or related area is desirable.

Contract

This is a G-7 contract. This kind of contract is known as General Service and related categories. It is normally only for nationals. It usually requires 7 years of experience, depending on education.

Salary

The salary for this job should be more than 2,614 USD.

Please keep in mind that the salary displayed here is an estimation by UN Talent based on the location and the type of contract. It may vary depending on the organization. The recruiter should be able to inform you about the exact salary range. In case the job description contains another salary information, please refer to this one.

Org. Setting and Reporting The United Nations Environment Programme (UN Environment) is the leading global environmental authority that sets the global environmental agenda, promotes the coherent implementation of the environmental dimension of sustainable development within the United Nations system and serves as an authoritative advocate for the global environment.

UN Environment's Ecosystems Division works with international and national partners, providing technical assistance and advisory services for the implementation of environmental policy, and strengthening the environmental management capacity of developing countries and countries with economies in transition.

This post is located in the Ecosystems Division, UN Environment, at the Nairobi duty station. Under the direct supervision of the Chief Programme Support Unit Officer, the incumbent will perform the following duties:

Responsibilities 1. Independently provides full range of programme/project management and implementation assistance at all phases of the programme/project cycle for the Division's programme/project initiatives, seeking guidance only in exceptional circumstances.

2. Researches, compiles, analyses, summarizes, and presents basic information/data on wide range of programmes/projects and related topics, highlighting noteworthy issues/trends for consideration by appropriate parties.

3. Tracks resolutions and other legislative decisions that affect programme/project content and oversees the preparation of the relevant database(s) to ensure the incorporation of programmatic and other changes enacted by legislation.

4. Reviews, appraises and revises, as necessary, all submissions for projects, ensuring compliance with guidelines and programme/project objectives; identifies problems/issues, seek clarification from Branches and Units of the Division, and prepares a summary for the Programme Management Officer with suggestions for further action.

5. Provides substantive assistance in the review of legal instruments where necessary to ensure that the legal instruments meet UN standards and channel exceptions for approval from the relevant offices to the Corporate Services Division.

6. Drafts inputs for a wide range of documents/reports, briefings/debriefings, and correspondence as they relate to programme/project activities.

7. Serves as focal point for monitoring and reporting activities for the Division's Programme of Work and projects, ensuring that relevant implementation information is regularly updated in the enterprise programme/ project monitoring and reporting systems (i.e. Integrated Planning, Management and Reporting Solution (IPMR) and Project Information Management System (PIMS).

8. Supports the Programme Management Officer in the smooth transition to the Umoja programme/ project monitoring system ensuring the accurate migration of programme/ project information from the legacy systems.

9. May undertake mission/field work in support of above activities, e.g. specific administrative, operational/control tasks for programme/project activities.

10. Establishes internal databases utilizing Microsoft tools such as Microsoft lists, power apps, power automate and forms; sets up, files, stores and manages data and information relevant to the scope of programme/project activities; identifies technology needs, as appropriate.

11. Maintains and further develops the register of audit and evaluation recommendations, follows up on the implementation of those audit and evaluation recommendations related to Programme of Work, projects, and legal instruments, and facilitates timely substantive feedback by relevant Branches and Units to audit/evaluation questions and recommendations, as needed.

12. Maintains and further develops the Division's registry of legal instruments, monitors and updates their implementation status and documents their technical completion when outputs are delivered and reports are provided by the parties, and liaises with Financial Management Team for their final closures.

13. Serves as the publications focal point for the Division: reviews the Division's publication proposals and coordinates their submission to the UNEP Publishing Board; coordinates technical review of publications by other Divisions; and represents the Division at the Publishing Board meetings.

14. Develops, expands and maintains already existing Power BI dashboard(s) that tracks project financial performance and lifecycle elements to ensure compliance and adherence to corporate standards

15. Supervises junior support staff, including provision of guidance, training and inputs to performance evaluation.

16. Support project financial and administrative closure process.

17. Assists with the collection and analysis of data as well as preparation of data presentations and reports for information sharing, responding to queries, knowledge management, planning and decision making.

18. Assists with visualizations and updating information material such as web pages or brochures.

19. Performs other related duties as assigned.

Competencies PROFESSIONALISM: Knowledge of internal policies, processes and procedures generally and in particular those related to programme/project administration, implementation and evaluation, technical cooperation, programming and budgeting. Understanding of the functions and organization of the work unit and of the organizational structure and respective roles of related units. Ability to identify, independently assess, formulate recommendations and/or resolve a wide range of issues/problems, undertake research and gather information from standard sources and to work well with figures including ability to analyze and understand financial data. Ability to design information data bases from multiple sources into an integrated programme evaluation system. Ability to direct, supervise and train office support staff. Demonstrated ability to apply judgment in the context of assignments given and discretion, resourcefulness and ability to deal proactively and tactfully with offices throughout the organization. Shows pride in work and in achievements; demonstrates professional competence and mastery of subject matter; is conscientious and efficient in meeting commitments, observing deadlines and achieving results; is motivated by professional rather than personal concerns; shows persistence when faced with difficult problems or challenges; remains calm in stressful situations. Commitment to implementing the goal of gender equality by ensuring the equal participation and full involvement of women and men in all aspects of work.

COMMUNICATION: Speaks and writes clearly and effectively; listens to others, correctly interprets messages from others and responds appropriately; asks questions to clarify, and exhibits interest in having two-way communication; tailors language, tone, style and format to match audience; demonstrates openness in sharing information and keeping people informed.

TEAMWORK: Works collaboratively with colleagues to achieve organizational goals; solicits input by genuinely valuing others' ideas and expertise; is willing to learn from others; places team agenda before personal agenda; supports and acts in accordance with final group decision, even when such decisions may not entirely reflect own position, shares credit for team accomplishments and accepts joint responsibility for team shortcomings.

Education High school diploma or equivalent is required. A diploma in project management or other related fields is desirable.

Passing the Global General Service Test (GGST) is a prerequisite for recruitment consideration in the General Services and related categories in the United Nations Secretariat. Successful passing of the Administrative Support Assessment Test (ASAT) in English at the United Nations Headquarters (UNHQ), Economic Commission for Africa (ECA), Economic and Social Commission for Western Asia (ESCWA), United Nations Office at Geneva (UNOG), United Nations Office at Vienna (UNOV), International Criminal Tribunal for Rwanda (ICTR) or International Criminal Tribunal for the former Yugoslavia (ICTY) may be accepted in lieu of the GGST. The GGST is administered to applicants when required before the administration of a written assessment and/or interview.

Work Experience A minimum of ten (10) years of professional work experience in programme or project administration, mastery of using Power BI, finance, technical cooperation or a related area is required.

Experience in Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) systems, such as SAP (Umoja) or other equivalent platform, is required.

Experience in results-based planning and reporting is desirable.

Experience in the application of relevant regulations and rules of the United Nations, or any similar public service organization, in an operational environment is desirable.

One (1) year or more of experience in data analytics or related area is desirable.

Languages English and French are the working languages of the United Nations Secretariat. For the post advertised, fluency in English is required. Knowledge of another official United Nations language is desirable.

NOTE: 'Fluency' equals a rating of 'fluent' in all four areas (speak, read, write and understand) and 'Knowledge of' equals a rating of 'confident' in two of the four areas.

Assessment Evaluation of qualified candidates may include an assessment exercise which may be followed by competency-based interview.

Special Notice This position is temporarily available for an initial period of six (6) months and may be subject to extension. If the selected candidate is a staff member from the United Nations Secretariat, the selection will be administered as a temporary assignment.

While this temporary assignment may provide the successful applicant with an opportunity to gain new work experience, the selection for this position is for a limited period and has no bearing on the future incumbency of the post.

Subject to the funding source of the position, the eligibility for this temporary job opening may be limited to candidates based at the duty station.

This temporary job opening may be limited to "internal candidates," who have been recruited through a competitive examination administered according to staff rule 4.16 or staff selection process including the review of a central review body established according to staff rule 4.15.

Staff members of the United Nations common system organizations who will reach the mandatory age of separation or retirement within the duration of the current temporary need period are not eligible to apply. Submitting an application or selection for the current temporary job opening does not delay or increase the mandatory age of separation.

Retirees above the mandatory age of separation who wish to be considered for the current temporary job opening must indicate the reason for their last separation as "retirement." Such retirees shall not be employed by the Organization, unless (a) the operational requirements of the Organization cannot be met by staff members who are qualified and available to perform the required functions; and (b) the proposed employment would not adversely affect the career development or redeployment opportunities of other staff members and represents both a cost-effective and operationally sound solution to meet the needs of the service.

Staff members are subject to the authority of the Secretary-General and to assignment by him or her. In this context, all staff are expected to move periodically to new functions in their careers in accordance with established rules and procedures. The United Nations Secretariat is committed to achieving 50/50 gender balance and geographical diversity in its staff. Female candidates are strongly encouraged to apply for this position.

Internal Applicants – When completing the Candidate Profile form, ensure ALL fields, ALL professional experience and contact information are completed and up to date. This information is the basis for the hiring manager to assess your eligibility and suitability for the position and to contact you.

Individual Contractors and Consultants who have worked within the UN Secretariat in the last six months, irrespective of the administering entity, are ineligible to apply for or be appointed to any professional and higher temporary or fixed-term positions, within six months of the end of their current or most recent service. For such positions, at least six months need to have elapsed between the end of a consultancy or individual contract and the time of application and consideration for an appointment as a staff member under the Staff Rules and Regulations of the United Nations.

This job opening is only open to the staff members of the United Nations Secretariat who (1) serve in the duty station specified in the job opening; (2) hold a permanent, continuing or fixed-term appointment; and (3) have been appointed following the review of the Central Review Panel, or upon meeting other regular requirements for the duty station, job level and category and functional area. Staff members holding an appointment limited to service to a specific entity are not eligible to be considered if this position is outside that entity. Staff members holding a temporary appointment are not eligible for consideration.

At the United Nations, the paramount consideration in the recruitment and employment of staff is the necessity of securing the highest standards of efficiency, competence and integrity, with due regard to geographic diversity. All employment decisions are made on the basis of qualifications and organizational needs. The United Nations is committed to creating a diverse and inclusive environment of mutual respect. The United Nations recruits and employs staff regardless of gender identity, sexual orientation, race, religious, cultural and ethnic backgrounds or disabilities. Reasonable accommodation for applicants with disabilities may be provided to support participation in the recruitment process when requested and indicated in the application.

On-line applications will be acknowledged where an email address has been provided. All applicants are strongly encouraged to apply on-line as soon as possible after the job opening has been posted and well before the deadline stated in the job opening. If you do not receive an e-mail acknowledgement within 24 hours of submission, your application may not have been received. If the problem persists, please seek technical assistance through the Inspira "Contact Us" link.

United Nations Considerations According to article 101, paragraph 3, of the Charter of the United Nations, the paramount consideration in the employment of the staff is the necessity of securing the highest standards of efficiency, competence, and integrity. Candidates will not be considered for employment with the United Nations if they have committed violations of international human rights law, violations of international humanitarian law, sexual exploitation, sexual abuse, or sexual harassment, or if there are reasonable grounds to believe that they have been involved in the commission of any of these acts. The term “sexual exploitation” means any actual or attempted abuse of a position of vulnerability, differential power, or trust, for sexual purposes, including, but not limited to, profiting monetarily, socially or politically from the sexual exploitation of another. The term “sexual abuse” means the actual or threatened physical intrusion of a sexual nature, whether by force or under unequal or coercive conditions. The term “sexual harassment” means any unwelcome conduct of a sexual nature that might reasonably be expected or be perceived to cause offence or humiliation, when such conduct interferes with work, is made a condition of employment or creates an intimidating, hostile or offensive work environment, and when the gravity of the conduct warrants the termination of the perpetrator’s working relationship. Candidates who have committed crimes other than minor traffic offences may not be considered for employment.

Due regard will be paid to the importance of recruiting the staff on as wide a geographical basis as possible. The United Nations places no restrictions on the eligibility of men and women to participate in any capacity and under conditions of equality in its principal and subsidiary organs. The United Nations Secretariat is a non-smoking environment.

The paramount consideration in the appointment, transfer, or promotion of staff shall be the necessity of securing the highest standards of efficiency, competence, and integrity. By accepting an offer of appointment, United Nations staff members are subject to the authority of the Secretary-General and assignment by him or her to any activities or offices of the United Nations in accordance with staff regulation 1.2 (c). In this context, all internationally recruited staff members shall be required to move periodically to discharge new functions within or across duty stations under conditions established by the Secretary-General.

Applicants are urged to follow carefully all instructions available in the online recruitment platform, inspira. For more detailed guidance, applicants may refer to the Manual for the Applicant, which can be accessed by clicking on “Manuals” hyper-link on the upper right side of the inspira account-holder homepage.

The evaluation of applicants will be conducted on the basis of the information submitted in the application according to the evaluation criteria of the job opening and the applicable internal legislations of the United Nations including the Charter of the United Nations, resolutions of the General Assembly, the Staff Regulations and Rules, administrative issuances and guidelines. Applicants must provide complete and accurate information pertaining to their personal profile and qualifications according to the instructions provided in inspira to be considered for the current job opening. No amendment, addition, deletion, revision or modification shall be made to applications that have been submitted. Candidates under serious consideration for selection will be subject to reference checks to verify the information provided in the application.

Job openings advertised on the Careers Portal will be removed at 11:59 p.m. (New York time) on the deadline date.

No Fee THE UNITED NATIONS DOES NOT CHARGE A FEE AT ANY STAGE OF THE RECRUITMENT PROCESS (APPLICATION, INTERVIEW MEETING, PROCESSING, OR TRAINING). THE UNITED NATIONS DOES NOT CONCERN ITSELF WITH INFORMATION ON APPLICANTS’ BANK ACCOUNTS.

Potential interview questions